For in depth coverage of this scam, please read
The Real Charlie Story
On Monday August 6, 2012, this aspiring actor/musician was walking his pit bull, Charlie at Crissy Field when he decided to let Charlie off the leash. Charlie ran towards the police horse, bit him, the horse threw the officer and then the chase was on. The police horse did manage to land a kick, too bad it wasn't a fatal one. Gizzarelli claims his one and a half year old pit bull has never shown any signs of aggression before (that's cuz your dog is only 18 months old!) and is friendly to people and animals but Charlie never saw a horse before and that's the apparent justification for his berserking moment. Gizzarelli was arrested and charged with four separate FEDERAL crimes.
C. Marabito of the Ladder Killed Darla Napora fame came to Charlie's defense, stating the rookie police horse's inexperience at being around an off leash park must have provoked the mutant.
There's a couple of little problems here:
Based on the video and story at KTVU, it appears Gizzarelli was not in a designated off leash area AND
The west end of Crissy Field is closed to dogs most of the year due to the presence of endangered plovers. The attack on the police horse occurred during a time of year when dogs are not allowed off leash.
Marabito also felt the need to point out that Charlie was in danger because the city animal shelter euthanizes one third of all unclaimed animals. (?!)
An on-line donation website has been set up to help the frankenmauler out since the actor/musician is broke.
A sample of Grizzarelli's acting might explain why he can not afford an attorney.
hmmm...I wonder why Gizzarelli didn't use his frankenmauler for this 90 second video short.
KTVU
KCBS
Help Save Charlie Con
IMDB
Crissy Field
youtube
gizzarelli.org
and Gizzarelli appears to be an "experienced" pit bull owner.
